The Book to Tell You How Messed Up You Are

The American Psychiatric Association is currently working on releasing the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This book is created by panels of psychiatrists and will have many different effects on not only the medical field, but the patients as well. This edition will have consequences for insurance reimbursement, research, and ultimately determines what is considered a mental disorder.

In this particular edition there are many controversial issues arising. Is compulsive shopping really considered a disorder that can be treated? Do children that suffer from sensory problems just need extra attention? What exactly is gender identity crisis? Is binge eating a disorder? There are so many problems that are weighed in on and their book will ultimately decide the fate of the particular ailment.

I think it’s so awful that this book is playing such a crucial role on the world of psychiatry. I understand the purpose of having disorders defined, but it also determines how the world perceives each disorder. If their research is outdated or too controversial, it can have a horrible effect on the world. This book has also faced a lot of criticism over its time. It originally defined homosexuality as a disease that needed to be treated. In the 1970’s it was removed, but it still had a lasting effect on how the world views homosexuality.

This is something that I think we really need to stop. Not only does it have an effect on how the world views each disorder, it also views how the insurance companies do. One example is with those that consider themselves transgender. Because this book defines it as a disorder, many insurance companies will cover the costs of surgeries and procedures to help them. If the disorder is revoked from the book, it will cause the number of insurance companies that cover surgeries to go down to almost none. If a particular disease is listed but not really true, it could cost the insurance companies millions. If they don’t list it, it could cause devastation to those suffering.

Psychiatry is a field that is always very delicate. The patients involved are not only physically sick, but are in a different state of mind. Unlike a physical disease though, there could be many ways for different disorders to be perceived. If a book such as this is created, we need to be certain that we are including everything with ultimate approval from everyone.

New look on dating for High School Seniors

Attention to all: Dating in high school has officially died. There are officially more seniors that say they never date then say that they date frequently. This doesn't mean that everyone is having more sex. According to the Center for Disease Control, the number of teens having sex or sex with strangers is on the down.

Now, our culture has changed from dating as the social norm, to having hooking up as the new trend. I completely understand where this is coming from too. I think that we all have experienced that relationship, where you find a physical connection first, then worry about the emotional thing. It's easier. You don't have the pressures of the gossip, school, or emotional connection.

I know that it's not the way you want to live your life... blah, blah, blah. But for high school, its easier to worry about an emotional connection later. I mean we have to face it, teenage guys and girls have to very different ideas of what a perfect relationship should be. I think that by people not dating in high school, it almost fixes that differences. It causes both parties to meet someone in the middle. The guys don't have to worry about every last detail, but the girl also tends to be less stiff, if she is on a informal date.

Personally, I think it is the way to go. But then again, that's just me.

The Forgotten School

I must admit that I really hate the Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District. They have little funding, and they are now spending a portion of that on advertising the school that they haven't put money into in a long time. Because the school district has lost so much enrollment they decided that it was completely necessary to spend money that is suppose to be on education, for newspaper ads and billboards telling parents to send their kids the the gang infested Rancho Cotate High School.

I am a high school student at Technology High. I am part of this school district, yet you will never hear the school board mention us in an article. I don't even know why they won't! My school is located on Sonoma State Campus, I get to take college classes, and technology is involved in EVERY class I take. We are the reason that the test scores are high, but do you see them telling the media about us? No, of course not, that would be LOGICAL. The STAR testing scores in our school are among the highest in the state, because we are able to learn from teachers that are intelligent and actually want to come to work everyday. We are able to learn from projects, instead of learning from a book and taking a test after.

They justify their spending by saying that they will get the money completely back by enrolling three new students. While this may be true, that money could be used in so many other ways. Even if they want to just advertise Rancho Cotate, they could use that thirteen thousand dollars they have as a budget for advertising, to start a new program there that would actually attract new students. All of the local high schools have something that makes them different, whether its an art program, college prep, international program, they all have SOMETHING that makes them different. Rancho doesn't have these things. They don't have a program that is recognized as part of their school.

So, in closing, I ask why the district chooses to forge the school that brings up the test scores, puts a new spin on learning, and established a connection with the university in the area?

Drug Testing in Schools? TOO FAR

I was scanning for possible blog entries and came across a very disturbing article. It seems that drug testing is becoming more popular in public high schools. Currently, most schools are adopting a system that tests students that they suspect of drug use. This is disturbing with itself, but what I found really upsetting was the fact that schools are now trying to adopt a system where any student came be tested randomly. In schools, they are making it mandatory that if you sign up for a club, sport, or even parking pass you are also agreeing to be part of a randomly tested group of kids that is picked from weekly.

I have no idea how this can possibly be allowed in schools. The school has absolutely no right to test me, merely because my name was randomly selected that week. It’s a violation of the fourth amendment. End of discussion. I just don't see how students have risen up against this system yet. It's obvious to me, that a coup would be staged if Tech High ever tried to adopt this system.

I am all for making sure that a student body is clean, but they aren't even testing for the most used drug. In high schools today, the most commonly used drug is alcohol. These tests that they are trying to conduct only test for marijuana, methamphetamines, and cocaine. If you want to actually make the test useful, why aren’t you testing for something that might actually do some good? Honestly, most public school systems don’t know how to make smart decisions.

On top of it being completely wrong, this is also costing the districts a large sum of money. Why not spend the money on something useful? Maybe start an art program or create a new project that will keep the kids focused on something besides drugs? I mean, that idea only makes sense…

Free Dr. Pepper!

In March Dr. Pepper promised a free soda to every American if Guns N' Roses released "Chinese Democracy" by the end of 2008. The album goes on sale Sunday, which means that free Dr. Pepper will be available beginning Sunday at 12:01 a.m.

You can get your free coupon for a free 20-ounce soda on the Dr. Pepper's Web site. They'll be honored until February 28.

"We never thought this day would come," Tony Jacobs, Dr Pepper's vice president of marketing, said in a statement. "But now that it's here, all we can say is: The Dr Pepper's on us."

Breaking the Obsession with "Twilight"

I am going to take a break from the top issues, and write about something that I am starting to notice in my own school. It seems as if the Twilight books are going to take over! I swear, I have seen that book in every single one of the freshmen girls’ hands. I admit that I read the book too, but the number of copies floating around the school is ridiculous.

I am an avid reader myself and therefore love to see a fellow classmate enjoying a good book. The only problem is this seems to be the only book that teenage girls will read! I have seen multiple book reports sitting on Mrs. Brown’s desk revolving around this vampire love story. The thing that kills me about the situation is that the girls aren’t reading anything else. They think that this is the only book that they will find that interests them. I know because my class went through the same problem. When the book first started gaining popularity, every single girl in our class read the book. They all talked about it and all wanted to find “their Edward” which, I’m sorry to say, probably won’t happen.

I think that what our school needs is a list of the twenty-five best books that teenage girls will enjoy. I don’t want just the “Gossip Girls Series” or the “Twilight Series”. I want to make a list of amazing books that will serve some sort of purpose in each person’s life.

I am going to call the list “The 20 books you must read before you’re 20.” I invite anyone to join in and add some books of their own. Later on, I’ll create description for each book, but for right now, I just want to get the titles out there.

So… drum roll please…

The 20 Books You Must Read Before You’re 20
1. “Elsewhere” by Gabrielle Zevin
2. “The Pact” by Jodi Picoult
3. “Looking for Alaska” by John Green
4. “The Princess Diaries” by Meg Cabot
5. “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden” by Joanne Greenberg
6. “My Sister’s Keeper” by Jodi Picoult
7. “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak
8. “The Princess Bride” by William Goldman
9. “Go Ask Alice” by Anonymous
10. “Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger
11. “An Abundance of Katherines” by John Green
12. “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card
13. “1984” by George Orwell
14. “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert
15. “Running with Scissors” by Augustan Burrows
16. “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams
17. “Vamped” by David Sosnowski
18. “The Giver” by Lois Lowry
19. “Stargirl” by Jerry Spinelli
20. “Ella Enchanted” by Gail Carson Levine

Neiman Marcus: The Middle Class Store?

As usual, I was surfing around the New York Times site and came across a very… interesting article about Sarah Palin. I know that I must seem obsessed, but she always seems to be grabbing my attention. The latest article I found was titled “$150,000 Wardrobe for Palin May Alter Tailor-Made Image”. You have to admit, you want to read it too.

In the article, they discuss the latest antic of the McCain campaign. This time, adviser to Palin spent $150,000 on “campaign accessories”. The advisers spent $75,062 dollars at Neiman Marcus and $49,425 at Saks Fifth Avenue, all to give her that perfect “working middle-class mom” look. Am I the only one who thinks that sounds just a tad bit off? I mean, my mother is a hard worker from the middle class, and she frets about spending $100 dollars.

The worst part of the whole event is people are brushing it off like it’s nothing. The article stated that making a big commotion about the spending would be “kicking the campaign while it’s down”. Excuse me? Could someone please let me know when the media started worrying about people’s feelings? I mean, they didn’t mind tearing her apart before. Has she finally become so pathetic that even the media feels slightly bad for making fun of her so much? That within itself should be a clue that she couldn’t handle being Vice President.

What on Earth are they going to do when another nation starts to question her? If controversy starts to arise then, it really does affect the outlook of our nation. There is no way that we can let this happen. Writing as Jill Six Pack, I can’t allow someone with a suit worth more than all of my possessions pretending to be one of us. She isn’t, and she never was. This is the final step that proves she isn’t worth anyone’s vote.

Please, have some self respect Sarah Palin and save yourself the embarrassment of trying to run for President in 2012.

Breaking Down the Barrier

I read this amazing article about a school in Georgia that is specialized for teenagers suffering from autism. The school is run by a parent whose son has autism, and completely revolves around making sure that the students can learn and grow. It is one of about ten schools that specializes in students with autism. Anyone is allowed in as long as they can communicate. There are ten students currently enrolled, and all of them have moderate to severe autism, but are at different stages.

The schools has actually helped many students. Some that could not control their outbursts, can now go through an entire day without blowing up. Parents are also finding that their children are communicating more and are able to relay what they are thinking easier.

The school starts out each day with an assembly. Each student can express anything that they are feeling and share what they did the night before. Many of the students discuss something that they are exasperated about or what they dreamed about that night. For autistic teens this is a huge breakthrough. Many started with little communication skills when they entered the school.

The students are also able to choose what classes they want to take. At the end of each semester, the students vote on what new elective they want to take. These classes have ranged from “The History of Meat” to “How to Take Things Apart”.

Overall, these types of schools have helped many families with their children with autism. Each parent interviewed for the article expressed how amazed they were about the improvements that they have seen. There should be more of these types of schools throughout the nation. With the amount of children with autism rising, we need to learn to embrace this approach and try to integrate it into the public school systems. These students are like special education children.

No On Proposition 8

Proposition 8 on the California ballot is one of the biggest issues of the political season. If it is passed, an amendment would be added to the California Constitution stating "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California". This initiative is also known as the California Marriage Protection Act.

Both sides are receiving large amounts of funding for their initiative, but a majority of the supporter's of Prop 8 contributions are coming from out of state. Out of the 18 million dollars that were raised in September, over 6 million was from the Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormons). The opposition is also receiving large amounts of funding from celebrities and large companies. Brad Pitt and Apple both donated $100,000 to help fight against Prop 8.

This proposition is one of the most discriminatory to date. Why is it anyone's business who others choose to marry? I think that it is an outrageous attempt to continue the prejudice that people have against the homosexual community. The United States was created on the idea that everyone is equal and can lead there life in whatever direction they would like. If Prop 8 is passed, this will go directly against that fundamental idea.

California would also be one of the first states to go to this extent to stop gay marriage. Is that the image that we want reflected onto our great state? I know that I would certainly be disappointed if that was to happen. I know that my entire generation has a vision of California as an open progressive state. I think that this would bring California reeling back from that status, labeling us as a discriminatory ignorant state.

One of my best friends is gay. I know that I want him to have the same rights as myself and he deserves the right to marry whoever he chooses. I hope that those close to him and me would choose to vote no.

Please join me on opposing Proposition 8 on the California ballot.

Somaly Mam: True Hero

Human trafficking is one of the the biggest problems in today's world. We can try to contain it within the United States, but it is one of the most lucrative industries in the world. Women are being forced into prostitution at a young age, and are bound for their lives.

Somaly Mam is one of the main people trying to bring down this industry. She runs her own foundation, that helps women in Cambodia. Her foundation has saved countless women from a terrible life. In Cambodia, virgins and young girls are available to anyone willing to ask a few questions. Her foundation raids the brothels and brings in the girls to shelters that are run by the foundation. The shelters provide education and job skills to women that were, often times, raised in the brothels. She is now working on international connections, that could help her apply pressure to the government to put more laws and controls in place.

Somaly has also experienced this life. She grew up as an orphan and was adopted by a man who later sold her to a brothel owner. She ran away from the place, and when she went to the place they gang raped her. The police officers then returned her to the brothel where she was beaten and humiliated for leaving. She was eventually rescued by a French aid worker, who she later married.

Somaly Mam is releasing her memoir titled "The Road to Loss Innocence" in the United States. It reflects on her life while growing up in the brothel, and her fight now to prevent that life for other girls.

When is it too much?

The Bush administration is, once again, trying to undermine women's rights. This time around, he is proposing a new rule from the Department of Human Health and Services that would put restrictions on availability of abortions and even contraceptives. It’s the President’s last chance to put his pro-life foot forward.

The new rule would require that any health care provider that receives federal funding to certify that none of its employees are forced to assist in any way with services that they find objectionable. All employees and volunteers could refuse to aid in any treatment that they object to. The rule does address abortion but bodes not have any definition for the word. With no definition, some providers might see sterilization and birth control as the same as abortion. It also allo9ws provider to refuse to participate in “other medical procedures” that they feel contradict religious or moral beliefs.

The new rule would cost over 44 million dollars to implement and would affect almost 600,000 hospitals, clinics, and other health care providers. Female patients would be affected drastically with this new rule. It would lead to women no longer receiving unbiased medical information from their doctors. They would be deprived of advice about options available and even deny them access to certain care.

With the rule allowing providers to refuse “other medical procedures” physicians could object to help patients based on their sexual orientation. It would allow some patients to be denied testing for sexual diseases, merely because the lab technician doesn’t believe in pre-marital sex. Pharmacists could refuse to fill medications because it is birth control, receptionists could refuse to book H.I.V testing, and doctors could deny abortions to a rape victim. Is this really something that we want in America?

If a person truly disapproves of these procedures, they can find employment with a provider that does not deal with these issues. It is understandable that the government would like to protect the conscious of doctors, but what about the rights of the patient? This rule simply allows too much to fall under the umbrella category of “other medical procedures”.

Is Ms. Palin's confidence enough?

On thursday, the ever popular Sarah Palin had her first unscripted interview with a major news source. All of America waited in anticipation to see what this hockey mom thought without her script running across the teleprompter. While the interview wasn't the smoothest, it was relatively successful for the Republican party. 

During the interview, Sarah Palin was the ultimate politician, jumping around every question, much to the dismay of Charles Gibson. The only questions that she was able to respond to with a straight answer, were those that were pre-scripted. You could visibly tell which were scripted because her confidence suddenly peeked and she would have something other than the stiff smile playing across her face. At one point during the interview Mr. Gibson actually asked "Is that a yes?"

If you can't tell yet, I do not think that this vice-presidential candidate is ready to lead. She can't seem to work on her own, and seems to have skewed views of the world around her. She doesn't want to teach sex education in school, yet she has a seventeen year old daughter pregnant. She wanted to ban books, much like we all read in Fahrenheit  451. 

And what does she have against polar bears anyway?